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Answering Common Questions About Handling a Death by Suicide

Posted on Jun 8, 2017 9:30am PDT

When a loved one has committed suicide, you may feel as though your whole
world has shattered. It’s normal to experience a broad range of
emotions, and some of these may even contradict each other. It’s
important to care for your emotional health during this difficult time.
When practical matters need to be handled, such as the
suicide cleanup in the home, let the professionals take care of it. Biohazard cleaning
companies in Orlando can straighten out your home while you focus on your
emotional needs.

What should I do after finding my loved one?

The shock of finding your loved one’s body can be overwhelming, but
there are a couple of steps you should take right away. If you are not
certain whether your loved one is dead and you feel capable of doing so,
you can check for a pulse. Otherwise, you shouldn’t touch anything
or move anything. Step outside the home and call the local police department or 911.

Will I be asked to identify the body?

If you identified the body at the scene, you won’t have to do so
again at the morgue. If you didn’t find the body and you’re
the immediate next of kin, you may be asked to identify the body. You
may have the choice of identifying the body in person or with photographs.
If you can’t bear to fulfill this responsibility, you can ask another
family member to do it for you.

How should I deal with the house?

You shouldn’t attempt to clean the house yourself. Not only is this
emotionally difficult, but it may be a biohazard. Instead, make arrangements
with a suicide cleanup service. If possible, stay with other family members
or close friends until the cleaning company is finished.

How do I write an appropriate obituary?

It’s entirely your choice whether to include the cause of death
in an obituary. Some people prefer to avoid the subject entirely, while
others prefer to speak frankly about it. There is no right or wrong choice.
One common reason for including this information in the obituary is to
try to prevent uncomfortable questions. You also have the option of subtly
including this information without stating that the cause of death was
suicide. The obituary might request donations to a suicide prevention
charity in lieu of flowers, for example.